Writing Seminar

Last week, I workshopped my middle grade underwater fantasy novel through William Bernhardt's Level 3 Intensive Writing Seminar. What a great week it was. We focused on our book endings, reviewed each others's work and revised, revised, revised. Needless to say, I had more than a few late nights. You'd think we'd look exhausted, but we're so happy with our progress!

I learned so much and gained great insights from Bill and my other writer friends. What a great way to spend the week. During the three-hour drive home, I brainstormed ideas for my website (in progress) and tied down loose plot threads. Now I'm tightening up the middle of my novel in preparation for pitching to agents at the OWFI conference in early May.

Writing can be an all-consuming passion. I'm grateful for the patience of my family and friends when my thoughts are swimming through the Pacific Ocean or soaring over Terovelian Peaks.

What hobbies or work do you feel passionate about and why?

Excellent Writing Tool

This week I've been up to my ears studying Mary Kole's new book, "Writing Irresistible Kidlit." This book provides tons of guidance and brainstorming exercises for middle grade and young adult novelists. In my opinion, it is a must-read for budding MG and YA writers (as well as those of us who have been writing a loooong time and still are figuring it out!).

It covers a wide array of useful topics including the MG and YA mindset, complex character development, theme development, plot pacing and structure, and how to snag an agent. As I've worked through Kole's characterization exercises, I've learned tons about my characters (who I thought I already knew!).

My latest discovery is that my determined, loving, but insecure protagonist won't steal things, but she will happily borrow (without permission) with the intent to return later. What fun that I now know that!
Mary Kole's MG and YA writing blog is also a great help. http://www.kidlit.com


What character or plot discoveries have tickled your fancy while reading or writing a novel?

Taking a Risk!

The night before last I submitted an excerpt of my undersea fantasy novel to a short story contest. I would've liked to shine in up a bit more, but I've discovered I can postpone submissions endlessly in my quest for perfection. So I looked my fears right in the eye and submitted in spite of them! Here's the story opening:

Kailey stared out the window at the ocean dancing just beyond the school grounds, cool, inviting, and utterly forbidden. For years, she’d dreamed of swimming those waters, diving with dolphins, weaving kelp through her hair. Of course, she never told this to anyone. Her classmates already thought she was crazy. She blamed it on her parents’ strict rules. Twelve years without field trips, sleepovers or seaside picnics were enough to make anyone flip.

She dug in her pocket, withdrawing a wrinkled paper. Last night she’d signed it, desperate to go anywhere that wasn’t home, school, or her parents’ shop. She knew she shouldn’t forge her dad’s signature, but really, it was his fault for being overprotective. Besides, her twin brother, Finn, did it, too, agreeing that it was high time they went on a perfectly safe school outing. Their parents would never know.

            Kailey turned in the permission slip then boarded the bus with the rest of the sixth grade. An hour later, she strolled into Synergy Power Plant. But when the tour guide passed out orange safety helmets, Kailey wanted to crawl back home. The other kids might look silly, but she’d be downright hideous. Bright colors only emphasized the faint green tinge to her skin that made her look perpetually ill.

            “Nice,” Finn said as he elbowed past her with his friends. “You look like you’re gonna puke.”

            Kailey gritted her teeth and followed the class into a cavernous room dripping with wires. As the guide pointed out crews who shoveled coal or manned machines, a strange worker caught her eye. He creeped her out, with his tangled green hair and dark eyes that narrowed when he saw her expression. You’d think he’d be used to it, she thought, if he’s gonna dye his hair like that.

            Across the room, Finn listened with rapt attention. He soaked this stuff up, yet she didn’t understand half of it. So unfair. It seemed to her that their genetic gifts could’ve been split a bit more evenly. She scuffed her foot against the floor, dislodging a rusty nail. A sly grin crossed her face—time to liven things up. But that green-haired creep followed her every move. She glared until he looked away then shoved the nail into a box of coiling wires.

It livened up more than she expected, vibrating out of its brackets and sputtering flames. The creep lunged forward as the room exploded with light. Great crackling rays arched toward the walls, jumping from place to place like the jerking legs of a giant spider.

            Then it hit.

            A bolt of electricity, forked like lightning, struck Kailey square in the chest. The guide screamed then everything went black.

What are some times you've taken risks and how did they turn out?